Definition: Disorders affecting the visual pathway, which includes the retina, optic nerve, optic chiasm, optic tract, lateral geniculate body, optic radiation, and visual cortex.
Causes:
- Trauma
- Inflammation
- Infection
- Tumors
- Vascular disorders
Clinical Features:
- Visual loss or blindness
- Field defects
- Diplopia
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
Investigations:
- Visual acuity tests
- Visual field tests
- Ophthalmoscopy
- Brain imaging studies (MRI or CT scans)
Complications:
- Permanent visual loss or blindness
- Increased intracranial pressure
- Seizures
- Hydrocephalus
Management:
- Treatment of underlying cause
- Corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive medications
- Antiviral and antibacterial medications
- Surgery to relieve pressure or remove tumors
Treatment:
- Corticosteroids
- Cyclophosphamide
- Methotrexate
- Plasmapheresis

Definition: Inflammation of the optic nerve
Pathology:
- Demyelination of the optic nerve
- Loss of axonal integrity
Causes:
- Multiple sclerosis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Other autoimmune disorders
- Trauma
- Infections
Clinical Features:
- Sudden onset of visual loss
- Pain on eye movement
- Field defects
- Optic disc swelling
Investigations:
- Visual acuity tests
- Visual field tests
- Ophthalmoscopy
- MRI or CT scans of the brain and orbit
Complications:
- Permanent visual loss or blindness
- Recurrent optic neuritis
- Increased intracranial pressure
Management:
- Corticosteroids
- Disease-modifying therapies (in multiple sclerosis)
- Pain management
Treatment:
- Corticosteroids (prednisone)
- Disease-modifying therapies (interferon beta or glatiramer acetate)
- Pain management (acetaminophen or ibuprofen)

Definition: Swelling of the optic disc due to increased intracranial pressure
Pathology:
- Accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the optic nerve sheath
- Compression of the optic nerve
Causes:
- Head trauma
- Tumors
- Infections (meningitis or encephalitis)
- Hydrocephalus
Clinical Features:
- Visual disturbances
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizures
Investigations:
- Visual acuity tests
- Visual field tests
- Ophthalmoscopy
- CT or MRI scans of the brain
Complications:
- Permanent visual loss or blindness
- Increased intracranial pressure
- Hydrocephalus
Management:
- Treatment of underlying cause
- Corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive medications
- Antiviral and antibacterial medications
- Surgery to relieve pressure or remove tumors
Treatment:
- Corticosteroids
- Mannitol or other osmotic agents
- Surgery to relieve pressure or remove tumors

Definition: Weakness or paralysis of cranial nerves affecting extraocular muscles or vision
Causes:
- Trauma
- Infections
- Tumors
- Vascular disorders
Clinical Features:
- Diplopia
- Strabismus
- Ptosis
- Loss of vision
Investigations:
- Ophthalmoscopy
- CT or MRI scans of the brain and orbit
- Electromyography (EMG)
Complications:
- Permanent diplopia or strabismus
- Loss of vision
Management:
- Treatment of underlying cause
- Corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive medications
- Antiviral and antibacterial medications
- Surgery to relieve pressure or remove tumors
Treatment:
- Corticosteroids
- Botulinum toxin injections
- Surgery to relieve pressure or remove tumors

Remedies:
- Arsenicum album (arsenic)
- Belladonna (deadly nightshade)
- Calcarea carbonica (calcium carbonate)
- Causticum (sodium hydroxide)
- Gelsemium (yellow jasmine)
- Hypericum (St. John's Wort)
- Ignatia (St. Ignatius's bean)
- Lachesis (bushmaster snake)
- Lycopodium (club moss)
- Natrum muriaticum (sodium chloride)
- Phosphorus (phosphorus)
- Pulsatilla (windflower)
- Silicea (silica)
- Thuja (arbor-vitae)
- Zingiber (ginger)
Indications:
- Optic neuritis: Arsenicum album, Belladonna, Gelsemium, Hypericum
- Papilledema: Calcarea carbonica, Causticum, Lachesis, Lycopodium
- Cranial nerve palsies: Ignatia, Natrum muriaticum, Phosphorus, Pulsatilla
- General management: Silicea, Thuja, Zingiber

NEURO-OPHTHALMOLOGICAL DISORDERS